Impact of Physical Activity Levels on Visual Field Progression in Individuals with Glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose : To determine the effect of physical activity (PA) levels and the rates of visual field (VF) progression in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods : One hundred thirty-one eyes of 80 glaucoma participants from Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study who completed PA questionnaire were enrolled. PA levels were assessed by physical activity index (PAI), metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-minutes, and walking pace. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effect model were used to determine the effect of PA levels on the rates of 24-2 VF mean deviation (MD) change.

Results : In the univariable analysis, slower VF MD slope was found in active PAI group (mean differences of 0.30 dB/year; P=0.041) compared to inactive PAI, and in patients with higher levels PA amounts (0.14 dB/year per 1000 MET-minutes; P=0.036). However, group maintaining faster walking pace did not show significant differences, compared to those with no walking at all and casual strolling. In the multivariable analysis, each 1000 MET-minutes higher levels of PA amounts were associate with 0.15 dB/year slower VF MD slope (P=0.024).

Conclusions : Higher PA amounts was associated with slower rate of VF MD loss, suggesting that engaging in increased PA amounts may serve as protective factor for glaucoma progression.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.

 

Table 1. Factors Influencing Rate of VF slope Decline in Univariate Linear Mixed-Model Analysis

 

Figure 1. Forest Plots for Multivariable Linear Mixed Models Assessing the Effect of PA levels on the Rate of VF Loss over Time in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma